Combined blotter, calendar, ruler, measure, and paper-cutter.



No. 891,819. PATENTED JUNE 30, 1908.

H. T. CRANE. COMBINED BLOTTBR, CALENDAR, RULER, MEASURE, AND PAPER CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1906.

Fgure A B 73 Ill HI [IN]! 1!! Ill III I I Iii I ll Ill l I IN III M HI [ll Ill HI HI HI HI Ill ll 1 2 I 3 4 B s X? M X m2? T B7 1 1 1 1| 2 4 figure 4 WITNESSES: INVLYIVYIOIL).

HARRY 'r. CRANE, or clncrnnl'ri, OHIO.

COMBIIEED BLOTTER, CALENDAIn, RULER, DEEASURE, AND PAE'EB-CUTTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Zatented me 30', race.

Application filed September 22, 1906. Serial No. 335,698.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY T. CRANE, a citizen of the United-States, and a resident of the city of Cincinnati, in the county of Harnilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements'in a Combination Blotter, Calendar, Ruler, Measure, and Paper-Cutter, of which the following is a specification.

The several features of my invention and the various advantages resulting from their use conjointly or otherwise will be apparent from the following description and c aims.

In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this application, and in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts,Figure 1 is a top view (or front elevation) of an article embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical transverse section of the article taken in the plane of the dotted line 2, 2, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan View of a modification of ,the ruler illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and here shown separated from the re mainder of the article represented in. said Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section of a modification of the ruler shown in Fig. This section is in the plane of the dottedline 4, 4, of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section of the article shown in Fig. 1 in a case where the superincumbent layer of transparent celluloid extends from the edge of the ruler down over the article as far as the. dotted line X, X, of Fig. l, and stops at this line.

I will now proceed to describe my invention in detail.

it indicates the article. This article con sists as follows: I provide a front record plate or piece B, made of paper, or similar material. On one portion of this piece B are printed or otherwise marked the graduations of a measure In this measure the graduations may be made of one kind or another, but a desirable measure is that of the inch, and fractions of the same. The present illustrative specimen shows a six inch measure.

- I combine with this a ruler, consisting of the straight edge 1 I cover this straight edge B- With a iilm of still transparentcelluloid 15*, and extend this celluloid over the graduations of the measure B The mode of applying this celluloid is by bending a broad marginal portion, at B around and under the straight edge as shown in Fig. 2. 1 also mark upon this plate B, a calcinlar B, and preferably arrange the months (with their days numbered) on the left hand margin and on the right hand margin and along the lower margin. I reserve the central space B",

bounded by the measure and the calendar,

for the insertion of a trade-mark, an owners name, a proprietary name, a notice, or an advertisement, as the case may be. I locate beneath this plate B a desired number of sheets B" of blotting paper, preferably twelve sheets when the blotting paper is thin. In the drawin Fig. 2, l have shown three of such sheets ",-premising that tln number of sheets'is to be varied according to the taste and wish of the manufacturer. 1 connect these sheets together at their marigns and to the plateB at its margin. This article is not only useful as a calendanbut it is useful as a measure, and as an advertising medium. It is also exceedingly useful as a'nieasure, and especially as a straight edge ruler.

The transparent celluloid covers preferably the entire face of the card. This celluloid is perfectly transparent, so that all the printing, lettering, words, figures and marks can be readily seen beneath it. The celluloid iilm B" protects the plate B from dust and dirt. Any dirt or smooch which gathers on the celluloid can be quickly and readily sponged off or otherwise removed.

The marginal bend B of the celluloid iilm, at and around the straight edge makes a very efficient straight edge by which ruling can be done. This edge is hard, smooth and durable. ,The pencil or drawing pen slips along it (this edge) without interruption. This can be readily cleaned. The celluloid being. transparent, permits the graduations of the measure at this edge to be seen perfectly. I have, therefore, a measure and a straight edge of exceptional value.

The celluloid film B which extended over the entire face of the plate B, is preferably" secured in place at that edge of the plate B which is opposite the measure and straight edge B, by bending it over at B" and under the plate B. After having been once bent to form, by the proper means, the celluloid will retain the bends, and will closely embrace the plate B, so that even where the celluloid is not otherwise connected to the plate, either by adhesive --substances, or mechanical means, as rivets or clamps, it will not be easy to remove i tom the plate B.

The blotting pads are preferably secured celluloid film. See Figs-1 and 5.

to the plate B and to the adjacent under side of the margin of the celluloid by an adhesive substance. The celluloid can, if desired, be secured to the plate B, not only by the bends B B", but also by adhesive substances or mechanical means.

In use, the blotting paper sheets as they become soiled, are successively removed, by tearing them off. After they. are all re moved, the plate with its calendars and straight edge and measure will still remain of great value.

When desired, the celluloid film may cover the straight edge and the measure, and may extend as far as the dotted line X, X, of Fig. 1, and stop there and the remainder of the plate from said line X, X, to the edge B be without a covering of the In such construction, the celluloid may be secured at its edge along the dotted line X, X, or at the ends by an adhesive substance, or other means. But the above modification I regard as an inferior one.

The measure and straight edge covered with celluloid is a valuable article. When used together and without a calendar, or an extended plate B, the construction is preferably that shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this construction, a plate C (of course narrow) is present. On the plate C is marked the measure A space (3 below the measure affords a place for any memorandum, name, advertisement, etc. The celluloid C is, at the lower edge C of this measure, preferably bent around this edge and back under the plate 0, as illustrated in Fig. 4, at C Under this celluloid and under the plate C, I prefer to place a thick pad C of blotting paper, preferably in one )iece. This pad is not so valuable as a lotter, because the measurelis narrow, but is of great service in preventing the measure and the straight edge C from slipping out of or away from the location in which it is placed, in order to measure a certain dis-- tance, or to rule a line at a given place.

On all of these devices heretofore specified, the celluloid confers cleanliness and durability. The ruling on the straight edge can be made with ease, by reason of the smooth celluloid, and by the pad below the ruler is held firmly in the desired position without much, .if any, pressure on the ruler.

My invention enables the devices herein set forth o be used for cutting, that is, tearing paper in a straight line. Such use will be readily understood. I

Although celluloid is the preferred substance for-covering the straight edge and the measure, or the whole of the face of the top, I. wish it to be understood that other transparent substances such as gelatin, enamel and the like may be employed instead.

This

Where the words printed matter are used in the claims, it is understood to include not only words, but lettering, figures, marks and designs.

What I claim as new, and of my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 1. A combined instrument, composed of a plate, on which a place is left upon which a measure may be marked, and having a space for the insertion thereon of printed matter, the plate being covered with a transparent film of celluloid bent around one edge, and there forming a straight edge, a blotting pad being alfixed to the under side of the plate, substantially as and for the pur poses specified.

2. A combination instrument, composed of a plate on which a place is left upon which a measure may be marked, and having a s ace near the measure on which printed or ii ustrated matter maybe inserted, a film of celluloid, bent over one edge of, the plate, and extended over the plate, and a blotting pad, or base, affixed to the undel side of said plate, substantially as and for he purposes specified.

3. In a combination instrument, a plate containing a place on which a measure may be marked, and straight edge, and covered with a film of celluloid whose edge is bent around and under the straight edge, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In a combination instrument, a plate containing a place on which a measure may be marked, and straight edge, and covered with a film of celluloid whose edge is bent around and under the straight edge, and a basal pad onto which the late with celluloid is attached, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. A combined instrument, composed of a plate, on which a place is left upon which a measure may be marked, and having a space for the insertion thereon of printed matter, the plate being covered with a transparent film of celluloid bent around one edge, and there forming a straight edge, substan tially as and for the purposes specified.

b. A combined instrument composed of the plate on which a place is left upon which a measure may be marked, and having the space for the insertion thereon of printed matter, one edge of the plate formed as a stmight edge, a blotting pail fixed to the under Side ol thc plate, substantially as and place is left upon which a measure may be l lor the purposes spccllled. i

marked and having a space near the first 15 named place on which )rinted or illustrated matter may he inserterl, one of the cdges of the plate being formed asa'straight edge, this (llgfi being protected by a still reinforce meut, substantially as :111(.l for the purposes 20 Specified.

7. A combination instrument on which a place is left upon which :1. measure inay'be nmrhml find herring a space near the first i nzuncrl place onwhich muted 01 illustrated l nmtter may be inscrtm mic if the edges of i the plate being fnrmcd as a straightcilgo,

4 7' I l "l and :rhlutting PiUl llXCKl to the umlcr side 01' HARRX CRANE the plate, ubstantiully as and. for the purposcs spccilicd. v

8. A cnmbilmtimr instrument on which a I Attcst:

r} on; E. FITZPATRICK, E SMITH. 

